In this review, we will be comparing R200 50th Anniversary Edition and P300, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk R200 50th AE and Buchardt P300 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk R200 50th AE and Buchardt P300 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk R200 50th AE and Buchardt P300 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both R200 50th Anniversary Edition and P300 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk R200 50th AE |
Buchardt P300 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
R200 50th Anniversary Edition features a 1" ring radiator Pinnacle with an integrated waveguide Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the P300 features a 0.74" Custom fine weave soft fabric textile with CDC aluminum waveguide aluminum waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
R200 50th Anniversary Edition has a frequency range of 51-38k Hz whereas P300 has a frequency range of 37-40k HZ. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the P300 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R200 50th Anniversary Edition's min frequency of 51Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
R200 50th Anniversary Edition
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
R200 50th Anniversary Edition is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the P300 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the P300 can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 86 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
R200 50th Anniversary Edition
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk R200 50th AE's and Buchardt P300's external dimensions. Polk R200 50th AE has external dimensions of 358.0 x 193.0 x 355.0mm ( 24-28inch x 7-9/16inch x 13-15/16inch ) whereas Buchardt P300 has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
Buchardt P300 is 13mm narrower and 75mm less deeper than Polk R200 50th AE but it is also 7mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Polk R200 50th AE is approximately 685.2cm2 / 106.2inch2 and base area of the Buchardt P300 is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The R200 50th Anniversary Edition requires 36% more surface area than the P300 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Polk R200 50th AE weighs 8.80kg / 19.4lbs and the Buchardt P300 weighs 6.30kg / 13.9lbs. This makes the R200 50th Anniversary Edition 40% heavier than the P300.
Here is a comparison of how R200 50th Anniversary Edition and P300's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk R200 50th AE?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R200 50th Anniversary Edition:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 GrillesOwners ManualOnline RegistrationCertificate Of Aunthenticity
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Height |
358mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
1249USD
vs
1450USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
38k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
685cm2 (193x355mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Polk Audio Reserve R200 50th Anniversary Edition |
Buchardt P300 |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
Buchardt |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-200 watts |
50 - 200 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
51-38k Hz |
37-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
paper |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.74" |
Tweeter Type |
Ring Radiator |
aluminum waveguide |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2900Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
358.0mm (14.1") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
Width |
193.0mm (7.6") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
355.0mm (14") |
280.0mm (11") |
Weight |
8.80kg (19.4lbs) |
6.30kg (13.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
15mm Fiberboard HMR.E2 Moisture-proof with internal bracing |
Available Colors |
Cherry |
Black, White, Peach, Ocean, Olive |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 years on speakers / 2 years on electronics (4 years if registered) |